These pages will give you the most important information to get you started using our services and technology. Also, most relevant procedures and policies are laid out, please consider them carefully. Jacobs University and especially IT is still an evolving environment. Please expect changes in service and infrastructure during your stay.

First Steps Upon Arrival

Pickup your welcome package at the registration desk. It will contain your email and CampusNet account.

Visit the the IT desk in the registration area and have your Wifi configured.

Any other time during O-Week: Pickup your email and CampusNet account from registrar or your program co-ordinator.

Set yourself a new CampusNet password and a password recovery email address.

Set up your email client.

CampusNet Account

Upon your arrival at Jacobs University, you will receive your CampusNet account. CampusNet is also known as Jacobs University's "University Information System". It is the study management system of the university. All study-related workflows, including course registration and course material download, is done therein.

The first thing you should do is login to CampusNet and set a new password. While you are at it, you should also add an email address external to Jacobs University in the CampusNet "E-Mail" field. This will be used for your password recovery requests in case you forget your password.

Jacobs Email

Web access to Jacobs Email requires login to the email server with the JACOBS user account. The user name to enter is the account name only, without the domain prefix (example: "jdoe" is right, "JACOBS\jdoe" will not work for web-based access to email).

exchange.jacobs-university.de (incoming and outgoing)

The supported client is Microsoft Outlook with Exchange connect, autodiscovery of Outlook can be used for zero-configuration connection. IMAP and POP plus SMTP is also known to work, so any email client will work.

Mailing Lists

Each student member of Jacobs University is member of the mailing list "jacobs-students-announce" with his/her Jacobs Email address. This list is the official communication channel of Jacobs University to it's student members. It is a moderated list to ensure, that only Jacobs University representatives send out information.

Lists are usually not administrated by IT. If you browse to a mailing lists' information page, in the footer is the list of administrators' addresses. Please contact them upon inquiries. See Utilizing Mailing Lists for a comprehensive discussion of mailing lists at Jacobs University.

Network Access

Generally, there is no pre-requisite for connecting a device. If you bring your own computer, use "Automatic Configuration" or "DHCP Configuration" for getting network parameters of Jacobs University upon connection.

WLAN access is possible without prior registration, but requires login with the JACOBS account. The recommended network to use is eduroam as it automatically works at many places in the world. See WiFi/WLAN Access for details.

Some services, especially file server access and access to third party digital resources (aka ebooks), are only available while connected to Jacobs University's network. If you are off campus, you can use VPN Access to access those servics. The VPN account is the same as your CampusNet account.

Computer Pools

There is no general-use PC pool. Basically, every student of Jacobs University is assumed to use a laptop.

There are a few browser-only workstations on the library floor of the IRC/Library. They require login with the JACOBS account and are intended to be used for library catalogue browsing, but can also be used to access web-based email. Expect some waiting time during O-Week.

Microsoft Office Software

Microsoft Office 365

Jacobs' students also get access to Microsoft Office 365. This includes 1 TB "OneDrive for Businss" online storage, synced across devices, and web-based viewing and editing of Microsoft Office documents, even at the same time with others. "Skype for Business" is also available to conduct video and/or audio calls and conferences, including text chats, and screen sharing. For details, please see Microsoft Office 365 for Jacobs University.

Telephony

A telephone is available within college apartments. Calls on-campus are free of charge. Calls outside the Campus will require a pre-paid call card, which can be acquired at the "Frisör", near the porters.

If you would like to operate your own, private computer within Jacobs University's network, that is possible without prior registration. Though, you are obliged to follow the Requirements for Use of Private Computers in Jacobs University Network. In particular, Update all software regularly and Use a virus scanner, and update it regularly! This requirement applies to computers with ANY operating system, including Linux and MacOS!

For a more comprehensive list of policies see Policies. There are various laws in Germany relevant for IT operation, see Legal for an overview. Please know and follow these policies and laws. Not knowing them does not mean they don't apply to you!

Miscellaneous

The procurement procedure for small computer accessories like network cables is explained at How to obtain computer accessories. IT does not sell or lend computer accessories.

This very teamwork system is implementing a wiki and blog and is a great tool for cooperation and collaboration in your daily work. You can also create your personal wiki home space easily. Other uses are sketched at Possible Uses of this Site. Logging in requires the CampusNet user name and password.

Student IT Support

You can search IT's knowledge base, documentation, how tos, FAQs and a lot more at IT Support, which is an ever-increasing wealth of information. Check back often or read the Blog! You can leave comments for improvement or clarification. You might want to get acquainted with Jacobs University's teamwork system soon by working through the Confluence Tutorials.

You can also contact Service Desk for Students. Please mind the office hours and refrain from contacting staff directly; use the provided channels instead. There is no IT Student Support during semester breaks. The schedule is especially volatile during semester start, even more so during O-Week.

There are regular server Maintenance Hours on Thursdays from 7 to 8am, services might be unavailable during this time without prior announcement.